Tripod.



No. 687,347. Patented Nov. 26, I90l.

R. S. STAPLETUN.

TRIPOD.

(Application filed may 11, 1901A (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

INVENTOR m: Nonms versus 0o. wovoumo. wAsumnTam-n. c.

No. 687,347. Patented Nov. 26, I901.

B. S. STAPLETON.

TRIPOD.

(Application filed May 11. 1901. (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFicE.

ROBERT S. STAPLETON, OF HANNAH, NORTH DAKOTA.

TRIPOD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,347, dated November26, 1901.

Application filed May 11, 1901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT S. STAPLETON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hannah, in the county of Cavalier and State of North Dakota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tripods; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to tripods for cameras, surveyors levels, andother similar instruments; and it consists in the novel construction andcombination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of the top part of atripod constructed according to this invention, showing the parts intheir working position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but shows the ballreversed for carrying about. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lowerpart ofthe socket. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper part of the socket. Fig.5 is a vertical section on line 00a: in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 isa side view ofthe ball and its socket.

A is a circular plate or disk, and b represents brackets riveted to theunder side of the plate and having the legs B of the tripod pivoted tothem by pins 1).

O is a screw, the upper end of which is journaled in the center of theplate. This screw has a head or knob c for revolving it, and it also hasan axial hole 0.

D represents brackets formed of flaps struck up from the plate A inpairs, leaving openings in the plate, and (1 represents curved cushionsof soft material secured between the pairs of flaps. These brackets Dare arranged at equal distances apart, and three brackets are preferablyprovided.

E represents levers which straddle the brackets D and which are pivotedon the pins d, which pass through the brackets and which retain thecushions in position. Pads e of soft material are secured to' the upperends of the levers E over the cushions. I

F is a nut which works upon the screw 0, and f represents links whichare pivoted to the said nut and to the lower ends of the levers E.

G is a ball provided with a screw-threaded stem it, having a collar h. Abearing-plate Serial No. 59,788. (No model.)

. having three lobes g is journaled on the stem 71 close to the collar,and the plate and its lobes are covered with a pad or pads of softmaterial g. The stem h is screwed into the bottom portion '5 of thecamera or other instrument, and the pads g bear against the said bottomand permit the ball to be screwed on firmly. The ball is placed on thecurved cushions d, as shown in Fig. l, and when the position of thecamera has been adjusted the screw 0 is turned so that the pads c arepressed against the upper part of the ball by means of the pivotedlevers E, and the ball is thereby clamped in position. When the tripodis to be carried about, the ball is unscrewed from the camera and itsscrewthreaded stem is dropped into the central hole of the screw 0 withthe lobes g bearing on the plateAbetween the brackets D. The ball isthen secured by operating the pivoted levers, and when held in thisposition it is protected from becoming lost or injured.

What I claim is 1. The combination, with the top plate of a tripod, of aseries of clamping-levers pivotally supported by the said plate andmovable in vertical planes, a ball arranged between the upper parts ofthe said levers and provided with a fastening attachment, a centralscrew journaled in the said plate, and means connected to the lower endportion of the said levers below the said plate and engaged by the saidscrew for operating the said levers simultaneously to clamp the ball,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the top plate of a tripod provided withbrackets and cushions on its upper side, of levers pivoted to the saidbrackets and provided with pads over the said cushions, a screwjournaled in the said plate and provided with a central hole, a ballprovided with a fastening-stem which will enter the said hole when theball is reversed, a nut on the said screw, and connections between thesaid nut and levers, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the top plate of a tripod provided withsupports for a ball on its upper side, of clamping-levers pivotallysupported by the said plate, a screw journaled in the said plate, a nutengaging with the said screw, connections between the said nut andlevers, and a ball arranged between the said supports and the upper endportions of the said levers and provided with a fastening attachment,substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the top plate of a tripod provided withprojecting brackets formed of flaps and arranged in pairs, cushionsarrangcd between the said brackets, pivoted levers which straddle thesaid brackets and cushions and have pads at their upper ends, means foroperating the said levers, and

a ballarranged between the said cushions and pads and provided with afastening attachment, substantially as set forth.

o. The combination, with the top plate of a tripod provided withcushions, of a screwjournaled in the said plate and provided with aROBERT S. STAPLETON.

Witnesses:

C. B. MOMILLAN, G. P. GETCHELL.

